Foldable wagon

ABSTRACT

A foldable wagon is provided that is configurable in a use configuration and folded configuration. The foldable wagon has a front frame assembly, a rear frame assembly, a first upper pivot bracket and a first lower pivot bracket connecting the front frame assembly to the rear frame assembly. The wagon has a timing member to maintain the front and rear frame assemblies synched during folding and unfolding of the wagon. The wagon also has a footrest with a first end connected to the rear frame assembly and a second end free from connection to the front frame assembly. When the second end of the footrest is raised the rear frame assembly and the front frame assembly pivot from the use configuration to the folded configuration. The wagon also has foldable front and rear seatbacks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/416,382, filed Nov. 2, 2016, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wagons, and morespecifically to a foldable wagon that converts from a use configurationto a folded storage configuration.

BACKGROUND

Wagons, including folding wagons, are well known in the art. While suchwagons according to the prior art provide a number of advantages, theynevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks toovercome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the priorart, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A fulldiscussion of the features and advantages of the present invention isdeferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds withreference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, the disclosed subject technology relates toa folding wagon that is configurable in a use configuration and foldedconfiguration.

The disclosed technology further relates to a foldable wagonconfigurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, thefoldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly comprising a firstfront side assembly, a second front side assembly spaced apart from thefirst front side assembly, a front frame joining the first front sideassembly and the second front side assembly, a front foot well supportbetween the first front side assembly and the second front sideassembly, and a front seat between the first front side assembly and thesecond front side assembly; a rear frame assembly comprising a firstrear side assembly, a second rear side assembly spaced apart from thefirst rear side assembly, a rear frame joining the first rear sideassembly and the second rear side assembly, a rear foot well supportbetween the first rear side assembly and the second rear side assembly,and a rear seat between the first rear side assembly and the second rearside assembly; the first front side assembly having a first front seatlinkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the firstfront seat linkage pivotally connected to the front frame and the secondend of the first front seat linkage pivotally connected to a first upperpivot bracket; the second front side assembly having a second front seatlinkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the secondfront seat linkage pivotally connected to the front frame and the secondend of the second front seat linkage pivotally connected to a secondupper pivot bracket; the first rear side assembly having a first rearseat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of thefirst rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the rear frame and thesecond end of the first rear seat linkage pivotally connected to thefirst upper pivot bracket; the second rear side assembly having a secondrear seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end ofthe second rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the rear frame andthe second end of the second rear seat linkage pivotally connected tothe second upper pivot bracket; a first front armrest pivotallyconnected to the front frame, and a first front vertical linkage havinga first end and a second end, the first end of the first front verticallinkage pivotally connected to the first front armrest and the secondend of the first front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the frontfoot well support; a second front armrest pivotally connected to thefront frame, and a second front vertical linkage having a first end anda second end, the first end of the second front vertical linkagepivotally connected to the second front armrest and the second end ofthe second front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front footwell support; a first rear armrest pivotally connected to the rearframe, and a first rear vertical linkage having a first end and a secondend, the first end of the first rear vertical linkage pivotallyconnected to the first rear armrest and the second end of the first rearvertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear foot well support; asecond rear armrest pivotally connected to the rear frame, and a secondrear vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first endof the second rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the secondrear armrest and the second end of the second rear vertical linkagepivotally connected to the rear foot well support; a first lower pivotbracket and a second lower pivot bracket, the first lower pivot bracketpivotally connected to a first side of the front foot well assembly andpivotally connected to a first side of the rear foot well assembly, andthe second lower pivot bracket pivotally connected to a second side ofthe front foot well assembly and pivotally connected to a second side ofthe rear foot well assembly; a first center linkage connected to thefirst upper pivot bracket and the first lower pivot bracket; and, asecond center linkage connected to the second upper pivot bracket andthe second lower pivot bracket.

The disclosed technology further relates to a foldable wagonconfigurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, thefoldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly; a rear frameassembly; a first upper pivot bracket connecting an upper portion of thefront frame assembly to an upper portion of the rear frame assembly; afirst lower pivot bracket connecting a lower portion of the front frameassembly to a lower portion of the rear frame assembly; a timing memberfurther connecting the front frame assembly to the rear frame assembly;and, a footrest covering a portion of the front frame assembly and aportion of the rear frame assembly, the footrest having a first endconnected to the rear frame assembly and a second end free fromconnection to the front frame assembly, wherein when the second end ofthe footrest is raised the rear frame assembly and the front frameassembly begin to pivot the foldable wagon from the use configuration tothe folded configuration.

The disclosed technology further relates to a foldable wagonconfigurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, thefoldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly; a rear frameassembly; an upper pivot bracket pivotally connecting an upper portionof the front frame assembly to an upper portion of the rear frameassembly; a lower pivot bracket pivotally connecting a lower portion ofthe front frame assembly to a lower portion of the rear frame assembly;and, a timing member further connecting the front frame assembly to therear frame assembly, the timing member comprising a first gear connectedto the front frame assembly and a second gear connected to the rearframe assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear, wherein thetiming member assists to maintain the front frame assembly synched withthe rear frame assembly during folding and unfolding of the foldablewagon.

The disclosed technology further relates to a foldable wagonconfigurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, thefoldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly having a front seatand a front foot well support; a rear frame assembly having a rear seatand a rear foot well support; an upper pivot bracket pivotallyconnecting an upper portion of the front frame assembly to an upperportion of the rear frame assembly; a lower pivot bracket pivotallyconnecting a lower portion of the front frame assembly to a lowerportion of the rear frame assembly; and, a footrest covering a portionof the front foot well support and a portion of the rear foot wellsupport, the footrest having a first end connected to the rear foot wellsupport and a second end free from connection to the front foot wellsupport, wherein when the second end of the footrest is raised the rearframe assembly and the front frame assembly begin to pivot the foldablewagon from the use configuration to the folded configuration.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a frontfoldable seat backrest pivotally connected to the front frame assembly,and a rear foldable seat backrest pivotally connected to the rear frameassembly. In one embodiment, the front foldable seat backrest pivotsbetween a raised position and a folded position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a front fixedseat connected to the front frame assembly, and a rear fixed seatconnected to the rear frame assembly.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a firsttiming member connecting the first side of the front foot well assemblyto the first side of the rear foot well assembly, and a second timingmember connecting the second side of the front foot well assembly to thesecond side of the rear foot well assembly. In one embodiment, the firsttiming member comprises a first gear connected to the first side of thefront frame assembly and a second gear connected to the first side ofthe rear frame assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear, andwherein the second timing member comprises a first gear connected to thesecond side of the front frame assembly and a second gear connected tothe second side of the rear frame assembly, the first gear mating withthe second gear. In one embodiment, the timing member comprises a firstgear connected to the front frame assembly and a second gear connectedto the rear frame assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a front frameassembly that comprises a first front side assembly spaced from a secondfront side assembly with a front frame and a front foot well support,and wherein the rear frame assembly comprises a first rear side assemblyspaced from a second rear side assembly with a rear frame and a rearfoot well support.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a first upperpivot bracket that pivotally connects the first front side assembly tothe first rear side assembly, and further comprising a second upperpivot bracket pivotally connecting the second front side assembly to thesecond rear side assembly.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a first lowerpivot bracket that pivotally connects the first front side assembly tothe first rear side assembly, and further comprising a second lowerpivot bracket pivotally connecting the second front side assembly to thesecond rear side assembly.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a firstcenter linkage that connects the first upper pivot bracket to the firstlower pivot bracket, and a second center linkage connecting the secondupper pivot bracket to the second lower pivot bracket.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a frontarmrest pivotally connected to the front frame, a front vertical linkagehaving a first end and a second end, the first end of the front verticallinkage pivotally connected to the front armrest and the second end ofthe front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front foot wellsupport, a rear armrest pivotally connected to the rear frame, a rearvertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end ofthe rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear armrest andthe second end of the rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to therear foot well support.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a front seatlinkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the frontseat linkage pivotally connected to the front frame, the second end ofthe front seat linkage pivotally connected to the first upper pivotbracket, and the front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the frontseat linkage between the first end and the second end of the front seatlinkage, a rear seat linkage having a first end and a second end, thefirst end of the rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the rearframe, the second end of the rear seat linkage pivotally connected tothe first upper pivot bracket, and the rear vertical linkage pivotallyconnected to the rear seat linkage between the first end and the secondend of the rear seat linkage.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a pair ofrotatable front wheels pivotally connected to the front frame assembly,and a pair of rotatable rear wheels connected to the rear frameassembly. In one embodiment, the pair of front wheels are connected tothe front frame assembly exterior to a side of the front frame assembly,and wherein the pair of rear wheels are connected to the rear frameassembly interior to a side of the rear frame assembly.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a footresthaving a first end and a second end, the first end of the footrest beingconnected to the rear foot well assembly between the first rear verticallinkage and the second rear vertical linkage, the second end of thefootrest being positioned between the first front vertical linkage andthe second front vertical linkage, the second end of the footrest beingfree from connection to the front foot well assembly, wherein when thesecond end of the footrest is raised the rear frame assembly and thefront frame assembly begin to pivot the foldable wagon from the useconfiguration to the folded configuration. In one embodiment, thefootrest has a handle adjacent the second end of the footrest.

The disclosed technology further relates to a wagon having a first frontvertical linkage that is pivotally connected to the first front seatlinkage, a second front vertical linkage that is pivotally connected tothe second front seat linkage, a first rear vertical linkage that ispivotally connected to the first rear seat linkage, and a second rearvertical linkage that is pivotally connected to the second rear seatlinkage.

It is understood that other embodiments and configurations of thesubject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description, wherein variousconfigurations of the subject technology are shown and described by wayof illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capableof other and different configurations and its several details arecapable of modification in various other respects, all without departingfrom the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings anddetailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present disclosure, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichembodiments of the disclosures are illustrated and, together with thedescriptions below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective rear view of a foldable wagon according toone embodiment, showing the foldable wagon in an unfolded or useconfiguration and with a housing structure on the wagon.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective front view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 1with a housing structure removed to reveal additional frame structure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective rear view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 1with a housing structure removed to reveal additional frame structure.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a folding mechanism for thefoldable wagon of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 1 with thehousing structure removed and showing the foldable wagon in a partiallyfolded configuration.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 7 in the partiallyfolded configuration.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view about line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 1 in thefolded configuration and with the housing structure removed.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 10 in the foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view about line 12-12 of FIG.10.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective front view of another embodiment of afoldable wagon with the seat backs in the down orientation and a canopyframe connected to the wagon.

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the front frame structure ofthe foldable wagon of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a folding mechanism for thefoldable wagon of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the foldable wagon of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the foldable wagon discussed herein is susceptible of embodimentsin many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinbe described in detail, preferred embodiments with the understandingthat the present description is to be considered as an exemplificationof the principles of the foldable wagon and are not intended to limitthe broad aspects of the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now to the figures, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, in oneembodiment a foldable wagon 10 includes a collapsible frame assembly 12that is moveable and configurable between an unfolded or useconfiguration (FIGS. 1-6) and a collapsed or folded configuration (FIGS.7-12). In one embodiment, the foldable wagon 10 also includes a housingassembly 14 that defines sidewalls of the wagon 10. In a preferredembodiment, the housing assembly 14 is preferably made of a flexiblematerial, such as fabric, and is therefore referred to as the fabricassembly 14.

The foldable wagon 10 is shown with the housing assembly 14 (FIG. 1),and without the housing assembly 14 (FIGS. 2-12), to better disclose thecollapsible frame assembly 12. The flexible housing 14 is preferablysecured about a perimeter of the foldable wagon 10, either inside of thecollapsible frame 12, outside the collapsible frame 12 or both insideand outside the collapsible frame 12.

In one embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 2, the collapsible frameassembly 12 comprises a front frame assembly 13 and a rear frameassembly 15. The front frame assembly 13 may comprise, among otherstructure, a first front side assembly 17, a second front side assembly19 spaced apart from the first front side assembly 17, and a front frame16 joining the first front side assembly 17 and the second front sideassembly 19. The rear frame assembly 15 may comprise, among otherstructure, a first rear side assembly 21, a second rear side assembly 23spaced apart from the first rear side assembly 21, and a rear frame 18joining the first rear side assembly 21 and the second rear sideassembly 23.

In various embodiments the frame assembly 12 also comprises first andsecond front seat linkages 20 having first and second ends, and firstand second rear seat linkages 22 having first and second ends. The firstend of the first front seat linkage 20 is preferably pivotally connectedto the front frame 16, and the first end of the second front seatlinkage 20 is pivotally connected to the front frame 16. Further, thesecond end of the first front seat linkage 20 is preferably pivotallyconnected to a first upper pivot bracket 24, and the second end of thesecond front seat linkage 20 is preferably pivotally connected to asecond upper pivot bracket 26. The first end of the rear seat linkage 22is preferably pivotally connected to the rear frame 18, and the firstend of the second rear seat linkage 22 is preferably pivotally connectedto the rear frame 18. Further, the second end of the first rear seatlinkage 22 is preferably pivotally connected to the first upper pivotbracket 24, and the second end of the second rear seat linkage 22 ispreferably pivotally connected to the second upper pivot bracket 26.Accordingly, the first upper pivot bracket 24 joins the first front seatlinkage 20 and the first rear seat linkage 22 (i.e., an upper portion ofthe front frame assembly 13 to an upper portion of the rear frameassembly 15), and the second upper pivot bracket 26 joins the secondfront seat linkage 20 and the second rear seat linkage 22 (i.e., anupper portion of the front frame assembly 13 to an upper portion of therear frame assembly 15).

As shown in FIG. 2, a first center linkage 28 extends from the firstupper pivot bracket 24 to a first lower pivot bracket 25, and a secondcenter linkage 30 extends from the second upper pivot bracket 26 to asecond lower pivot bracket 27. The first lower pivot bracket 25pivotally connects a first side of a front foot well support 44 to afirst side of a rear foot well support 46 (i.e., a lower portion of thefront frame assembly 13 to a lower portion of the rear frame assembly15), and the second lower pivot bracket 27 pivotally connects a secondside of the front foot well support 44 to a second side of the rear footwell support 46 (i.e., a lower portion of the front frame assembly 13 toa lower portion of the rear frame assembly 15). In a preferredembodiment the front foot well support 44 is provided between the firstfront side assembly 17 and the second front side assembly 19, and therear foot well support 46 is provided between the first rear sideassembly 21 and the second rear side assembly 23. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the frame structure extending from the front frame 16 to thefirst and second center linkages 28, 30 is referred to as the frontframe assembly 13, and the frame structure extending from the rear frame18 to the first and second center linkages 28, 30 is referred to as therear frame assembly 15.

The frame assembly 12 may also have first and second front armrests 32,and first and second rear armrests 34. The first front armrest 32 ispreferably pivotally connected to the front frame 16, and the secondfront armrest 32 is similarly preferably pivotally connected to thefront frame 16. Similarly, the first rear armrest 34 is preferablypivotally connected to the rear frame 18, and the second rear armrest 34is preferably pivotally connected to the rear frame 18. A first frontvertical linkage 36 is provided that has a first end and a second end.The first end of the first front vertical linkage 36 is pivotallyconnected to the first front armrest 32 and the second end of the firstfront vertical linkage 36 is pivotally connected to the front foot wellsupport 44. A second front vertical linkage 38 is provided that has afirst end and a second end. The first end of the second front verticallinkage 38 is pivotally connected to the second front armrest 32 and thesecond end of the second front vertical linkage 38 is pivotallyconnected to the front foot well support 44. A first rear verticallinkage 40 is provided that has a first end and a second end. The firstend of the first rear vertical linkage 40 is pivotally connected to thefirst rear armrest 34 and the second end of the first rear verticallinkage 40 is pivotally connected to the rear foot well support 46. Asecond rear vertical linkage 42 is provided that has a first end and asecond end. The first end of the second rear vertical linkage 42 ispivotally connected to the first rear armrest 34 and the second end ofthe second rear vertical linkage 42 is pivotally connected to the rearfoot well support 46. The collapsible frame assembly 12 also comprises afootrest 56 over the front and rear foot well supports 44, 46. Thefootrest 56 preferably covers a portion of the front frame assembly anda portion of the rear frame assembly.

The collapsible frame assembly 12 may also comprise a front seat 48between the first front side assembly 17 and the second front sideassembly 19, and a rear seat 50 between the first rear side assembly 21and the second rear side assembly 23. In an alternate embodiment, theframe assembly 12 has a front backrest 52 and a rear backrest 54. Asbest shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment the front seat 48 is fixedlyconnected to fixed supports 82 extending between the first front seatlinkage 20 and the second front seat linkage 20. Similarly, in oneembodiment, the rear seat 50 is fixedly connected to fixed supports 84extending between the first rear seat linkage 22 and the second rearseat linkage 22. While the seat bottoms 48 and 50 are fixed in place, ina preferred embodiment the backrests 52 and 54 are pivotally connectedto the wagon frame assembly 12 to be able to move between a raised andfolded position. Specifically, in one embodiment the front backrest 52is pivotally connected to the front frame assembly at the first andsecond front seat linkages 20, and the rear backrest 54 is pivotallyconnected to the rear frame assembly at the first and second rear seatlinkages 22. The front and rear backrests 52, 54 can be pivoted towardthe footrest 56 so that they lay flat against the seats 48, 50.

In one embodiment the front frame 16 is a box-like structure andcomprises a lower horizontal member 58, an upper horizontal member 60, afirst vertical support 62 and a second vertical support 64. Two frontcaster wheel assemblies 74 to allow for steering of the wagon 10 arepreferably connected to the front frame 16. In an alternate embodiment,as shown in FIGS. 13-16, the front caster wheel assemblies 74 may beconnected to the front frame 16 exterior to the side of the front frameassembly so that the front wheels 74 nest outside of the rear wheels 78in the folded configuration. Additionally, additional support isprovided for the wagon 10 by having the front wheels further outward. Apull handle 76 is also connected to the front frame 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment the rear frame 18 is also abox-like structure and comprises a lower horizontal member 66, an upperhorizontal member 68, a first vertical support 70 and a second verticalsupport 72. Rear wheels 78 may be connected to the rear frame 18. In theembodiments shown, a drive assembly 80 is provided. The drive assembly80 includes one or more motors (not shown), a motor controller (notshown), and a power supply 81. In this embodiment the rear wheels 78 arepart of the drive assembly 80 that is connected to the rear frame 18. Asbest shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the front wheels 74 are outboard of therear wheels 78 to provide additional stability for the wagon 10 and alsoto provide clearance for each of the wheels during folding of the wagon10 as shown in FIGS. 7-12. In one embodiment, the rear wheels areconnected to the rear frame assembly interior to a side of the rearframe assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 7-9, the first and second rear verticallinkages 40, 42 are pivotally connected about a mid-location of thevertical linkages 40, 42 to the first and second rear seat linkages 22.Similarly, the first and second front vertical linkages 36, 38 arepivotally connected about a mid-location of the vertical linkages 36, 38to the first and second front seat linkages 20.

Further, the first end 102 of each of the first and second front seatlinkages 20 is pivotally connected to the front frame 16. The second end104 of the first front seat linkage 20 is pivotally connected to thefirst pivot bracket 24, and the second end 106 of the second front seatlinkage 20 is pivotally connected to the second pivot bracket 26.Similarly, the first end 108 of each of the first and second rear seatlinkages 22 is pivotally connected to the rear frame 18. And, the secondend 110 of the first rear seat linkage 22 is pivotally connected to thefirst pivot bracket 24, and the second end 112 of the second rear seatlinkage 22 is pivotally connected to the second pivot bracket 26.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7-12, the front and rear armrests 32, 34are also pivotally connected to the collapsible frame assembly 12. Thefirst front armrest 32 is pivotally connected at its first end 114 tothe front frame 16 and at its second end 116 to the first front verticallinkage 36. The second front armrest 32 is pivotally connected at itsfirst end 118 to the front frame 16 and at its second end 120 to thesecond front vertical linkage 38. The first rear armrest 34 is pivotallyconnected at its first end 122 to the rear frame 18 and at its secondend 124 to the first rear vertical linkage 40. The second rear armrest34 is pivotally connected at its first end 126 to the rear frame 18 andat its second end 128 to the second rear vertical linkage 42.

In one embodiment, the rear foot well support 46 has a first end 92 anda second end 94. And, in one embodiment, the front foot well support 44has a first end 100 and a second end 96. Referring, for example, to FIG.9, in one embodiment, the footrest 56 is connected to the rear foot wellsupport 46. Specifically, in one embodiment the first end 88 of thefootrest 56 is connected to the first end 92 of the rear foot wellsupport 46. Additionally, the footrest 56 is connected to the second end94 of the rear foot well support 46. The footrest 56, however, is notdirectly connected to the front foot well support 44, and instead restson the front foot well support 44 in the lower position as shown inFIGS. 2-4.

In an alternate embodiment, as best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, supportbrackets 130 are provided to provide support and additional rigidity tothe wagon frame in the open or use position. For example, one supportbracket 130 is connected to each seat linkage 20, 22. Each supportbracket 130 has an angled surface to engage the respective verticallinkage 36, 38, 40, 42 when the wagon 10 is in the use position (seeFIG. 13). The angled surface of the support bracket 130 operates as astop for the vertical linkages 36, 38, 40, 42.

To fold the foldable wagon 10, the user first grasps the handle 86 inthe footrest 56. As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the handle 86 is builtinto the body of the footrest 56. In a preferred embodiment, thefootrest 56 is pivotally connected to the frame assembly 12 at a firstend 88 between the first rear vertical linkage 40 and the second rearvertical linkage 42, and the second end 90 of the footrest 56 merelyrests on the front foot well support 44, but is not connected to thefront foot well support 44. Accordingly, in one embodiment the footrest56 is free at the second end 90 of the footrest 56.

When the footrest 56 is raised by the handle 86 the folding action ofthe foldable frame assembly 12 is set into action. As best shown inFIGS. 3, 4 and 7-9, by lifting the second end 90 of the footrest 56, thefootrest 56 is pivoted upwardly about a pivot connection between therear foot well support 46 and the rear vertical linkages 40, 42.Accordingly, as the second end 90 of the footrest 56 is lifted, thefirst end 88 of the footrest 56 and the first end support 92 of the rearfoot well support 46 are pivoted with respect to the lower ends of thefirst and second rear vertical linkages 40, 42. Similarly, when thesecond end 90 of the footrest 56 is lifted, the second end support 94 ofthe rear foot well support 46 is simultaneously pivoted upwardly.

In one embodiment, a timing member 98, also referred to as a synchingmember 98, connects the front frame assembly 13 to the rear frameassembly 15. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the rear foot well support46 is pivotally connected to the front foot well support 44 by thetiming or synching members 98. The timing members 98 ensure that therear foot well support 46 and the front foot well support 44 pivot, inopposite directions, simultaneously. In one embodiment the timingmembers 98 are a series of gears 98, such as a first gear 98 connectedto the front frame assembly and a mating second gear 98 connected to therear frame assembly. Further, in an alternate embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 15, a cover 99 may be provided over the timing members 98for safety purposes.

Accordingly, when the footrest 56 is pivoted upwardly, the second endsupport 94 of rear foot well support 46 and the second end support 96 ofthe front foot well support 44 are also both pivoted upwardly together(about opposite pivot points, those being the connection of the rearfootwell support 46 with the rear vertical linkages 40, 42 and theconnection of the front footwell support 44 with the front verticallinkages 36, 38) at the bottom of the first and second center linkages28, 30. Similar to how the rear foot well support 46 is pivotallyconnected to the lower ends of the first and second rear verticallinkages 40, 42, the front foot well support 44 is pivotally connectedto the lower ends of the first and second front vertical linkages 36,38.

In one embodiment, four separate four-bar linkages are created bydifferent pivoting connections at each side of the frame assembly 12,for a total of eight four-bar linkages. A first four bar linkage iscreated by the pivotal connection of the first front armrest 32, thefirst front vertical linkage 36, the first front seat linkage 20 and thefront frame 16. The second four bar linkage is created by the pivotalconnection of the second front armrest 32, the second front verticallinkage 38, the second front seat linkage 20 and the front frame 16. Thethird four bar linkage is created by the pivotal connection of the firstfront seat linkage 20, the first center linkage 28, the front foot wellsupport 44 and the first front vertical linkage 36. The fourth four barlinkage is created by the pivotal connection of the second front seatlinkage 20, the second center linkage 30, the front foot well support 44and the second front vertical linkage 38. The fifth four bar linkage iscreated by the pivotal connection of the first rear armrest 34, thefirst rear vertical linkage 40, the first rear seat linkage 22 and therear frame 18. The sixth four bar linkage is created by the pivotalconnection of the second rear armrest 34, the second rear verticallinkage 42, the second rear seat linkage 22 and the rear frame 18. Theseventh four bar linkage is created by the pivotal connection of thefirst rear seat linkage 22, the first center linkage 28, the rear footwell support 46 and the first rear vertical linkage 40. The eighth fourbar linkage is created by the pivotal connection of the second rear seatlinkage 22, the second center linkage 30, the rear foot well support 46and the second rear vertical linkage 42.

Accordingly, as explained above, when the footrest 56 is raised by thehandle 86 the folding action of the foldable frame assembly 12 is setinto action. Referring to FIGS. 7-12, the eight four-bar linkagesdescribed above fold to collapse the collapsible frame assembly 12 sothat the front section of the frame assembly (i.e., from the first andsecond pivot brackets 24, 26 to the front frame 16) moves toward thecenter linkages 28, 30, and the rear section of the frame assembly(i.e., from the first and second pivot brackets 24, 26 to the rear frame18) moves toward the center linkages 28, 30. The final folded frameassembly 12 is shown in FIGS. 10-12.

To unfold the foldable frame assembly 12 into the unfolded configurationthe reverse operation is conducted. Accordingly, the front section ofthe frame assembly moves distal the center linkages and the rear sectionof the frame assembly moves distal the center linkages in the oppositedirection.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinaryskill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodimentscould be provided in any combination with the other embodimentsdisclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,”and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes onlyand do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term“plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, eitherdisjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.Additionally, the term “having” as used herein in both the disclosureand claims, is utilized in an open-ended manner.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have beenillustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind withoutsignificantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scopeof protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable wagon configurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, the foldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly; a rear frame assembly; a first upper pivot bracket connecting an upper portion of the front frame assembly to an upper portion of the rear frame assembly; a first lower pivot bracket connecting a lower portion of the front frame assembly to a lower portion of the rear frame assembly; a timing member further connecting the front frame assembly to the rear frame assembly; and, a footrest covering a portion of the front frame assembly and a portion of the rear frame assembly, the footrest having a first end connected to the rear frame assembly and a second end free from connection to the front frame assembly, wherein when the second end of the footrest is raised the rear frame assembly and the front frame assembly begin to pivot the foldable wagon from the use configuration to the folded configuration.
 2. The foldable wagon of claim 1, further comprising a front foldable seat backrest pivotally connected to the front frame assembly, and a rear foldable seat backrest pivotally connected to the rear frame assembly.
 3. The foldable wagon of claim 2, wherein the front foldable seat backrest pivots between a raised position and a folded position.
 4. The foldable wagon of claim 1, wherein the timing member comprises a first gear connected to the front frame assembly and a second gear connected to the rear frame assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear.
 5. The foldable wagon of claim 1, further comprising a front fixed seat connected to the front frame assembly, and a rear fixed seat connected to the rear frame assembly.
 6. The foldable wagon of claim 1, wherein the front frame assembly comprises a first front side assembly spaced from a second front side assembly with a front frame and a front foot well support, and wherein the rear frame assembly comprises a first rear side assembly spaced from a second rear side assembly with a rear frame and a rear foot well support.
 7. The foldable wagon of claim 6, wherein the first upper pivot bracket pivotally connects the first front side assembly to the first rear side assembly, and further comprising a second upper pivot bracket pivotally connecting the second front side assembly to the second rear side assembly.
 8. The foldable wagon of claim 7, wherein the first lower pivot bracket pivotally connects the first front side assembly to the first rear side assembly, and further comprising a second lower pivot bracket pivotally connecting the second front side assembly to the second rear side assembly.
 9. The foldable wagon of claim 8, further comprising a first center linkage connecting the first upper pivot bracket to the first lower pivot bracket, and a second center linkage connecting the second upper pivot bracket to the second lower pivot bracket.
 10. The foldable wagon of claim 6, further comprising a front armrest pivotally connected to the front frame, a front vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front armrest and the second end of the front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front foot well support, a rear armrest pivotally connected to the rear frame, a rear vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear armrest and the second end of the rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear foot well support.
 11. The foldable wagon of claim 10, further comprising a front seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the front seat linkage pivotally connected to the front frame, the second end of the front seat linkage pivotally connected to the first upper pivot bracket, and the front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front seat linkage between the first end and the second end of the front seat linkage, a rear seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the rear frame, the second end of the rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the first upper pivot bracket, and the rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear seat linkage between the first end and the second end of the rear seat linkage.
 12. The foldable wagon of claim 1, further comprising a pair of rotatable front wheels pivotally connected to the front frame assembly, and a pair of rotatable rear wheels connected to the rear frame assembly.
 13. The foldable wagon of claim 12, wherein the pair of front wheels are connected to the front frame assembly exterior to a side of the front frame assembly, and wherein the pair of rear wheels are connected to the rear frame assembly interior to a side of the rear frame assembly.
 14. The foldable wagon of claim 1, wherein the footrest has a handle adjacent the second end of the footrest.
 15. A foldable wagon configurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, the foldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly comprising a first front side assembly, a second front side assembly spaced apart from the first front side assembly, a front frame joining the first front side assembly and the second front side assembly, a front foot well support between the first front side assembly and the second front side assembly, and a front seat between the first front side assembly and the second front side assembly; a rear frame assembly comprising a first rear side assembly, a second rear side assembly spaced apart from the first rear side assembly, a rear frame joining the first rear side assembly and the second rear side assembly, a rear foot well support between the first rear side assembly and the second rear side assembly, and a rear seat between the first rear side assembly and the second rear side assembly; the first front side assembly having a first front seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first front seat linkage pivotally connected to the front frame and the second end of the first front seat linkage pivotally connected to a first upper pivot bracket; the second front side assembly having a second front seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second front seat linkage pivotally connected to the front frame and the second end of the second front seat linkage pivotally connected to a second upper pivot bracket; the first rear side assembly having a first rear seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the rear frame and the second end of the first rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the first upper pivot bracket; the second rear side assembly having a second rear seat linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the rear frame and the second end of the second rear seat linkage pivotally connected to the second upper pivot bracket; a first front armrest pivotally connected to the front frame, and a first front vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the first front armrest and the second end of the first front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front foot well support; a second front armrest pivotally connected to the front frame, and a second front vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the second front armrest and the second end of the second front vertical linkage pivotally connected to the front foot well support; a first rear armrest pivotally connected to the rear frame, and a first rear vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the first rear armrest and the second end of the first rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear foot well support; a second rear armrest pivotally connected to the rear frame, and a second rear vertical linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the second rear armrest and the second end of the second rear vertical linkage pivotally connected to the rear foot well support; a first lower pivot bracket and a second lower pivot bracket, the first lower pivot bracket pivotally connected to a first side of the front foot well assembly and pivotally connected to a first side of the rear foot well assembly, and the second lower pivot bracket pivotally connected to a second side of the front foot well assembly and pivotally connected to a second side of the rear foot well assembly; a first center linkage connected to the first upper pivot bracket and the first lower pivot bracket; and, a second center linkage connected to the second upper pivot bracket and the second lower pivot bracket.
 16. The foldable wagon of claim 15, wherein the first front vertical linkage is pivotally connected to the first front seat linkage, wherein the second front vertical linkage is pivotally connected to the second front seat linkage, wherein the first rear vertical linkage is pivotally connected to the first rear seat linkage, and wherein the second rear vertical linkage is pivotally connected to the second rear seat linkage.
 17. The foldable wagon of claim 15, further comprising a first timing member connecting the first side of the front foot well assembly to the first side of the rear foot well assembly, and a second timing member connecting the second side of the front foot well assembly to the second side of the rear foot well assembly.
 18. The foldable wagon of claim 15, further comprising a footrest having a first end and a second end, the first end of the footrest being connected to the rear foot well assembly between the first rear vertical linkage and the second rear vertical linkage, the second end of the footrest being positioned between the first front vertical linkage and the second front vertical linkage, the second end of the footrest being free from connection to the front foot well assembly, wherein when the second end of the footrest is raised the rear frame assembly and the front frame assembly begin to pivot the foldable wagon from the use configuration to the folded configuration.
 19. The foldable wagon of claim 15, further comprising a front foldable seat backrest pivotally connected to the front frame assembly, and a rear foldable seat backrest pivotally connected to the rear frame assembly.
 20. The foldable wagon of claim 17, wherein the first timing member comprises a first gear connected to the first side of the front frame assembly and a second gear connected to the first side of the rear frame assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear, and wherein the second timing member comprises a first gear connected to the second side of the front frame assembly and a second gear connected to the second side of the rear frame assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear.
 21. A foldable wagon configurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, the foldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly; a rear frame assembly; an upper pivot bracket pivotally connecting an upper portion of the front frame assembly to an upper portion of the rear frame assembly; a lower pivot bracket pivotally connecting a lower portion of the front frame assembly to a lower portion of the rear frame assembly; and, a timing member further connecting the front frame assembly to the rear frame assembly, the timing member comprising a first gear connected to the front frame assembly and a second gear connected to the rear frame assembly, the first gear mating with the second gear, wherein the timing member assists to maintain the front frame assembly synched with the rear frame assembly during folding and unfolding of the foldable wagon.
 22. A foldable wagon configurable in a use configuration and folded configuration, the foldable wagon comprising: a front frame assembly having a front seat and a front foot well support; a rear frame assembly having a rear seat and a rear foot well support; an upper pivot bracket pivotally connecting an upper portion of the front frame assembly to an upper portion of the rear frame assembly; a lower pivot bracket pivotally connecting a lower portion of the front frame assembly to a lower portion of the rear frame assembly; and, a footrest covering a portion of the front foot well support and a portion of the rear foot well support, the footrest having a first end connected to the rear foot well support and a second end free from connection to the front foot well support, wherein when the second end of the footrest is raised the rear frame assembly and the front frame assembly begin to pivot the foldable wagon from the use configuration to the folded configuration. 